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Sweet potatoes might be the most versatile vegetable in your kitchen. They roast, mash, bake and blend beautifully, they’re naturally sweet without being sugary, and they’re easy on the grocery budget. Once fall hits, they’re on pretty much every table.
From holiday favourites like sweet potato casserole and brown sugar sweet potato pie to crispy fries, cozy soup, chili, enchiladas and even homemade gnocchi, there’s a sweet potato dish here for every meal of the day. Whether you need a Thanksgiving side, an easy weeknight dinner or a weekend breakfast, you’ll find something to make.
I rounded up 12 of the best sweet potato recipes from some of my favourite food bloggers, so you can find your new go-to.
The Best Sweet Potato Dishes to Make This Fall
This article is all about the best sweet potato dishes.
1. Sweet Potato Casserole
What it is: The holiday classic: creamy, spiced sweet potatoes under a crunchy brown sugar and pecan streusel.
The filling is whipped with butter, eggs, cinnamon and nutmeg, and the topping bakes up golden and crisp. Plan on about 1 hour 30 minutes. Tip: you can assemble it up to 2 days ahead or freeze it for up to 3 months, which takes a lot of pressure off on Thanksgiving.
2. Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
What it is: Oven-baked fries that actually get crispy, with no deep fryer needed.
Two pounds of sweet potatoes, a little olive oil and sea salt are all you need, plus optional garlic powder or cayenne for a kick. They take about 45 minutes. Tip: toss the fries in a tablespoon of cornstarch before the oil and spread them out in a single layer. That’s the secret to crisp edges.
3. Crispy Smashed Sweet Potatoes
What it is: Tender sweet potato rounds smashed flat and roasted until the edges are crispy and caramelized.
They’re seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic powder and cumin, then served with a tangy Greek yogurt, lemon and hot sauce dip. Ready in about 45 minutes. Tip: choose long, thin sweet potatoes. The smaller rounds hold their shape and crisp up better, while big rounds release more moisture.
4. Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
What it is: A showstopper side dish: whole sweet potatoes thinly sliced accordion-style and basted with cinnamon brown sugar butter.
The butter mixture has brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and an optional pinch of cayenne, and it soaks into every slice as they bake. Plan on about 1 hour 30 minutes. Tip: lay a wooden spoon or chopstick on each side of the potato while you slice so you never cut all the way through.
5. Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes
What it is: Silky mashed sweet potatoes with butter, pure maple syrup and a little fresh thyme.
They’re a simple, cozy side for roast chicken, pork chops or your holiday table, and take about 1 hour 15 minutes. Tip: bake the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them. Baking gives a lighter, fluffier mash, while boiling can make it dense and watery.
6. Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
What it is: A velvety, dairy-free soup made with sweet potatoes, carrots, onion, fresh ginger and garlic.
A little paprika and red pepper flakes give it gentle warmth, and it’s on the table in about 40 minutes. It also freezes well for easy lunches. Tip: make sure the sweet potatoes and carrots are completely fork-tender before blending so the soup comes out silky, not chunky.
7. 5-Ingredient Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
What it is: A hearty, vegan and gluten-free chili made with just five main ingredients: sweet potatoes, black beans, salsa, onion and vegetable stock.
Using salsa as the base means you get tons of flavour without a long spice list. It takes about 55 minutes. Tip: make it the night before if you can. The flavours come together even more as it rests.
8. Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas
What it is: Cheesy vegetarian enchiladas filled with roasted sweet potato, black beans and green chiles.
Corn tortillas are rolled up with Monterey Jack and feta, then smothered in salsa verde and baked until bubbly. Plan on about 1 hour 20 minutes. Tip: warm the tortillas in a skillet or the microwave first so they bend without cracking.
9. Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
What it is: Classic comfort food with a twist: savoury ground beef, peas and carrots under a fluffy mashed sweet potato topping.
The beef simmers with onion, garlic, tomato paste and beef broth, and the whole dish is ready in about 45 minutes. Tip: drag a fork across the sweet potato topping before baking. Those little ridges turn golden and crispy in the oven.
10. Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage
What it is: Soft, pillowy homemade gnocchi made with sweet potato and flour, then tossed in nutty brown butter with crispy sage leaves.
It feels restaurant-worthy but only needs four main ingredients, and takes about 30 minutes once your sweet potatoes are cooked. Tip: pull the gnocchi out of the water as soon as they float. That means they’re done, and any longer can make them mushy.
11. Fluffy Sweet Potato Pancakes
What it is: A cozy fall breakfast made with mashed sweet potato, cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of maple syrup.
They’re soft, fluffy and ready in about 25 minutes, and they’re a great way to use up leftover mashed sweet potatoes. Tip: mix the batter just until combined. Overmixing makes the pancakes dense.
12. Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Pie
What it is: A rich, creamy pie with a deep brown sugar flavour and warm fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.
The filling is made with butter, heavy cream and eggs, so it bakes up smooth and custardy. Give yourself time, since it needs about 7 hours including cooling. Tip: mash the sweet potatoes completely smooth before adding anything else, so you end up with no lumps or stringy bits.
Tips for Cooking with Sweet Potatoes
- Pick similar sizes. Sweet potatoes that are about the same size cook evenly, so nothing ends up hard in the middle.
- Bake instead of boiling for mash. Baking concentrates their natural sweetness and keeps them from getting watery.
- Give them space on the pan. Crowded sweet potatoes steam instead of roast, so use two pans if you need to.
- Store them somewhere cool and dark. Keep raw sweet potatoes out of the fridge, which can make them hard in the centre and change their flavour.
- Cook extra. Roasted or mashed sweet potatoes keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, ready for pancakes, soup or a quick side.
Which sweet potato dish are you making first? Pin this post so you can find it again for Thanksgiving, cozy fall dinners and everything in between!
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